NYT Connections Hints and Answers — Tuesday, July 21, 2026 (Puzzle #1136)
Written by Ranjit Kumar — Lead Editor & Puzzle Architect
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🧩 NYT Connections Answers Today — July 21, 2026 (Puzzle #1136)
Here are the complete answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle, Tuesday, July 21, 2026:
- 🟨 Yellow – Kinds of Tops: CROP, HALTER, TANK, TUBE
- 🟩 Green – Software Downloads: APP, DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN
- 🟦 Blue – Elements of a Musical: BOOK, LYRICS, MUSIC, ORCHESTRATION
- 🟪 Purple – Tele_____: GRAM, KINESIS, PROMPTER, VISION
Want to try solving it yourself first? Scroll down for progressive spoiler-free hints before seeing the full breakdown.
Welcome to today's NYT Connections hints and answers guide for Tuesday, July 21, 2026. If you're stuck on Puzzle #1136, you're in the right place. We'll start with spoiler-free progressive hints so you can try to figure it out on your own, then reveal the full Connections answers for today with a detailed explanation of each group.
📌 Key Takeaways — Puzzle #1136
- Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
- Puzzle Number: #1136
- Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
- Trickiest Category: Purple — Tele_____
- Easiest Category: Yellow — Kinds of Tops
- Red Herring Warning: This puzzle is loaded with double-meaning traps. TANK and TUBE feel like they could go anywhere (military, TV, or the London Underground), while CROP hints at farming. DRIVER looks like it belongs with golf or cars, but here it's a Software Download. MUSIC seems like it could pair with the "musical" theme in an obvious way, yet it stays in Blue as an Element of a Musical. EXTENSION and PLUGIN both scream "browser," which is exactly why they're grouped together — don't overthink them. The biggest misdirect is GRAM and VISION, which look like everyday words until the Purple Tele_____ pattern reveals itself.
📖 In This Guide
- Tap-to-Reveal Word Hints (Interactive Grid)
- Spoiler-Free Category Hints
- Progressive Category Reveal
- Traps & Misdirects
- One-Word Hints for Each Group
- Two-Away Hints (Almost There)
- Full Answers & Solution Revealed
- Per-Word Explanations & Definitions
- Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
- How to Play NYT Connections
- FAQ
🔮 Connections Hint for Each Word Today — July 21, 2026
Tap any word to see its Connections hint — what it means in today's puzzle, no spoilers. Uncover all 16 to fill the progress bar.
APP Connections Hint Today
APP belongs to the Green group ("Software Downloads"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Software Downloads".
Definition: APP is one of the four words in the "Software Downloads" category. While APP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Software Downloads".
MUSIC Connections Hint Today
MUSIC belongs to the Blue group ("Elements of a Musical"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Elements of a Musical".
Definition: MUSIC is one of the four words in the "Elements of a Musical" category. While MUSIC has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Elements of a Musical".
KINESIS Connections Hint Today
KINESIS belongs to the Purple group ("Tele_____"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Tele_____".
Definition: KINESIS is one of the four words in the "Tele_____" category. While KINESIS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Tele_____".
GRAM Connections Hint Today
GRAM belongs to the Purple group ("Tele_____"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Tele_____".
Definition: GRAM is one of the four words in the "Tele_____" category. While GRAM has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Tele_____".
PROMPTER Connections Hint Today
PROMPTER belongs to the Purple group ("Tele_____"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Tele_____".
Definition: PROMPTER is one of the four words in the "Tele_____" category. While PROMPTER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Tele_____".
CROP Connections Hint Today
CROP belongs to the Yellow group ("Kinds of Tops"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Kinds of Tops".
Definition: CROP is one of the four words in the "Kinds of Tops" category. While CROP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of Tops".
HALTER Connections Hint Today
HALTER belongs to the Yellow group ("Kinds of Tops"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Kinds of Tops".
Definition: HALTER is one of the four words in the "Kinds of Tops" category. While HALTER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of Tops".
ORCHESTRATION Connections Hint Today
ORCHESTRATION belongs to the Blue group ("Elements of a Musical"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Elements of a Musical".
Definition: ORCHESTRATION is one of the four words in the "Elements of a Musical" category. While ORCHESTRATION has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Elements of a Musical".
VISION Connections Hint Today
VISION belongs to the Purple group ("Tele_____"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Tele_____".
Definition: VISION is one of the four words in the "Tele_____" category. While VISION has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Tele_____".
PLUGIN Connections Hint Today
PLUGIN belongs to the Green group ("Software Downloads"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Software Downloads".
Definition: PLUGIN is one of the four words in the "Software Downloads" category. While PLUGIN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Software Downloads".
LYRICS Connections Hint Today
LYRICS belongs to the Blue group ("Elements of a Musical"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Elements of a Musical".
Definition: LYRICS is one of the four words in the "Elements of a Musical" category. While LYRICS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Elements of a Musical".
BOOK Connections Hint Today
BOOK belongs to the Blue group ("Elements of a Musical"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Elements of a Musical".
Definition: BOOK is one of the four words in the "Elements of a Musical" category. While BOOK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Elements of a Musical".
TUBE Connections Hint Today
TUBE belongs to the Yellow group ("Kinds of Tops"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Kinds of Tops".
Definition: TUBE is one of the four words in the "Kinds of Tops" category. While TUBE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of Tops".
TANK Connections Hint Today
TANK belongs to the Yellow group ("Kinds of Tops"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Kinds of Tops".
Definition: TANK is one of the four words in the "Kinds of Tops" category. While TANK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of Tops".
DRIVER Connections Hint Today
DRIVER belongs to the Green group ("Software Downloads"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Software Downloads".
Definition: DRIVER is one of the four words in the "Software Downloads" category. While DRIVER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Software Downloads".
EXTENSION Connections Hint Today
EXTENSION belongs to the Green group ("Software Downloads"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Software Downloads".
Definition: EXTENSION is one of the four words in the "Software Downloads" category. While EXTENSION has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Software Downloads".
APP belongs to the Green group ("Software Downloads"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Software Downloads".
⚠️ Red Herring Alert: This puzzle is loaded with double-meaning traps. TANK and TUBE feel like they could go anywhere (military, TV, or the London Underground), while CROP hints at farming. DRIVER looks like it belongs with golf or cars, but here it's a Software Download. MUSIC seems like it could pair with the "musical" theme in an obvious way, yet it stays in Blue as an Element of a Musical. EXTENSION and PLUGIN both scream "browser," which is exactly why they're grouped together — don't overthink them. The biggest misdirect is GRAM and VISION, which look like everyday words until the Purple Tele_____ pattern reveals itself.
💡 Spoiler-Free Hints — NYT Connections July 21, 2026
Not ready for the full answer? Try these progressive hints for today's Connections puzzle. We start vague and get more specific.
🟨 Yellow Group Hint
Theme Hint: Think about what you'd find in a clothing store's shirt section — different styles you might wear on a warm day.
🟩 Green Group Hint
Theme Hint: These are all things you might install to add features to your computer, phone, or browser.
🟦 Blue Group Hint
Theme Hint: Break down a stage production into its creative parts — the words, the score, and the arrangement behind it.
🟪 Purple Group Hint
Theme Hint: Each answer needs a little help from the same five-letter prefix to become a real word.
🔓 Reveal Answers Progressively
Reveal each group step-by-step. Click "See Hint", then "See Group Name", then individual words.
Yellow Connections Hint Today
Think about what you'd find in a clothing store's shirt section — different styles you might wear on a warm day.
Green Connections Hint Today
These are all things you might install to add features to your computer, phone, or browser.
Blue Connections Hint Today
Break down a stage production into its creative parts — the words, the score, and the arrangement behind it.
Purple Connections Hint Today
Each answer needs a little help from the same five-letter prefix to become a real word.
⚠️ Traps & Misdirects in Today's Connections
Today's puzzle includes words intentionally placed to misdirect you. These trap hints reveal which words are designed to mislead, so you don't burn your 4 allowed mistakes on deliberate decoys.
This puzzle is loaded with double-meaning traps. TANK and TUBE feel like they could go anywhere (military, TV, or the London Underground), while CROP hints at farming. DRIVER looks like it belongs with golf or cars, but here it's a Software Download. MUSIC seems like it could pair with the "musical" theme in an obvious way, yet it stays in Blue as an Element of a Musical. EXTENSION and PLUGIN both scream "browser," which is exactly why they're grouped together — don't overthink them. The biggest misdirect is GRAM and VISION, which look like everyday words until the Purple Tele_____ pattern reveals itself.
Words like CROP and APP might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. CROP is part of "Kinds of Tops" while APP belongs to "Software Downloads". Don't group them together.
Words like CROP and BOOK might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. CROP is part of "Kinds of Tops" while BOOK belongs to "Elements of a Musical". Don't group them together.
Words like CROP and GRAM might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. CROP is part of "Kinds of Tops" while GRAM belongs to "Tele_____". Don't group them together.
🔑 One-Word Hints for Each Group
Still need a nudge? Here's one word that describes each group's theme:
🟨 Yellow
KINDS OF TOPS
🟩 Green
SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS
🟦 Blue
ELEMENTS OF A MUSICAL
🟪 Purple
TELE_____
🔥 Two-Away Hints — Almost the Full Answer
Last chance before the full reveal. Here are two members of each group:
| Group | Two Revealed Words | Can You Find the Other Two? |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow | CROP, HALTER | What other words fit the "Kinds of Tops" theme? |
| 🟩 Green | APP, DRIVER | What other words fit the "Software Downloads" theme? |
| 🟦 Blue | BOOK, LYRICS | What other words fit the "Elements of a Musical" theme? |
| 🟪 Purple | GRAM, KINESIS | What other words fit the "Tele_____" theme? |
✅ Full Answers — NYT Connections Today, July 21, 2026 (Puzzle #1136)
Here are the complete NYT Connections answers for today, Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Puzzle #1136 is fully solved below.
🟨 Yellow — Kinds of Tops
🟩 Green — Software Downloads
🟦 Blue — Elements of a Musical
🟪 Purple — Tele_____
🔍 Per-Word Explanations — Every Answer Defined
Let's dive deep into every word in today's Connections Puzzle #1136 — what each word means, why it belongs to its group, and how the puzzle uses it.
🟨 Yellow (Easiest) — Kinds of Tops
The easiest category is "Kinds of Tops". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
CROP
CROP is one of the four words in the "Kinds of Tops" category. While CROP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of Tops".
HALTER
HALTER is one of the four words in the "Kinds of Tops" category. While HALTER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of Tops".
TANK
TANK is one of the four words in the "Kinds of Tops" category. While TANK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of Tops".
TUBE
TUBE is one of the four words in the "Kinds of Tops" category. While TUBE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of Tops".
🟩 Green (Medium) — Software Downloads
The medium category is "Software Downloads". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
APP
APP is one of the four words in the "Software Downloads" category. While APP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Software Downloads".
DRIVER
DRIVER is one of the four words in the "Software Downloads" category. While DRIVER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Software Downloads".
EXTENSION
EXTENSION is one of the four words in the "Software Downloads" category. While EXTENSION has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Software Downloads".
PLUGIN
PLUGIN is one of the four words in the "Software Downloads" category. While PLUGIN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Software Downloads".
🟦 Blue (Hard) — Elements of a Musical
The hard category is "Elements of a Musical". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BOOK
BOOK is one of the four words in the "Elements of a Musical" category. While BOOK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Elements of a Musical".
LYRICS
LYRICS is one of the four words in the "Elements of a Musical" category. While LYRICS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Elements of a Musical".
MUSIC
MUSIC is one of the four words in the "Elements of a Musical" category. While MUSIC has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Elements of a Musical".
ORCHESTRATION
ORCHESTRATION is one of the four words in the "Elements of a Musical" category. While ORCHESTRATION has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Elements of a Musical".
🟪 Purple (Hardest) — Tele_____
The hardest category is "Tele_____". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
GRAM
GRAM is one of the four words in the "Tele_____" category. While GRAM has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Tele_____".
KINESIS
KINESIS is one of the four words in the "Tele_____" category. While KINESIS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Tele_____".
PROMPTER
PROMPTER is one of the four words in the "Tele_____" category. While PROMPTER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Tele_____".
VISION
VISION is one of the four words in the "Tele_____" category. While VISION has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Tele_____".
📊 Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
| Group | Difficulty | Solve Order |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow — Kinds of Tops | ⭐ Easy | Solve FIRST — the easiest category |
| 🟩 Green — Software Downloads | ⭐⭐ Medium | Solve SECOND |
| 🟦 Blue — Elements of a Musical | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Solve THIRD |
| 🟪 Purple — Tele_____ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Hard | Solve LAST or by elimination |
🎯 Pro Strategy for Puzzle #1136
Start with Green (Software Downloads) — APP, EXTENSION, and PLUGIN are tightly linked and give you an early anchor. Once DRIVER joins them, the remaining tech red herrings clear up. Next, lock in Yellow's Kinds of Tops, being careful that TANK and TUBE aren't luring you elsewhere. That leaves Blue and Purple: if a word feels like it needs a prefix to make sense (KINESIS, PROMPTER), it belongs in Tele_____. Save Purple for last and use process of elimination.
🎮 How to Play NYT Connections
New to the game? Here's a quick guide:
1️⃣
Study the 16 Words
Find four groups of four related words in the 4×4 grid.
2️⃣
Select & Submit
Tap four words you think belong together and hit "Submit."
3️⃣
4 Mistakes Max
Wrong guesses cost a life. After 4 mistakes, the game ends.
4️⃣
Solve All Four
Yellow = easiest, Purple = hardest. Solve all four to win!
🗞️ What Is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle game created by Wyna Liu and published by The New York Times. Launched in mid-2023, it has become one of the most popular word games online alongside Wordle. Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be organized into four groups of four sharing a common theme.
- 🟨 Yellow — Easiest (straightforward connections)
- 🟩 Green — Medium difficulty
- 🟦 Blue — Hard (tricky connections or wordplay)
- 🟪 Purple — Hardest (often abstract, suffix/prefix patterns, or obscure links)
📅 Yesterday's Answers — Puzzle #1145
- 🟨 Virtuous: FAIR, GOOD, JUST, RIGHT
- 🟩 Activities With Multiple Balls: BEER PONG, BINGO, JUGGLING, POOL
- 🟦 Cruise Lines: CARNIVAL, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, VIKING
- 🟪 On the ___, To Mean "Precise": DOT, MARK, MONEY, NOSE
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Connections July 21, 2026
The answers for NYT Connections Puzzle #1136 (July 21, 2026) are: 🟨 Yellow (Kinds of Tops): CROP, HALTER, TANK, TUBE | 🟩 Green (Software Downloads): APP, DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN | 🟦 Blue (Elements of a Musical): BOOK, LYRICS, MUSIC, ORCHESTRATION | 🟪 Purple (Tele_____): GRAM, KINESIS, PROMPTER, VISION.
The yellow category in today's Connections (July 21, 2026) is "Kinds of Tops" and the four answers are CROP, HALTER, TANK, TUBE.
The purple category in today's Connections (July 21, 2026) is "Tele_____" and the answers are GRAM, KINESIS, PROMPTER, VISION.
A new NYT Connections puzzle is released every day at midnight Eastern Time (ET). That's 9:00 PM Pacific, 5:00 AM BST, or 2:00 PM AEST. Bookmark this page for daily hints!
You are allowed up to 4 mistakes. After 4 incorrect guesses, the game ends and all remaining answers are revealed. Start with Yellow (easiest) to minimize errors.
The colors indicate difficulty: 🟨 Yellow is the easiest, 🟩 Green is moderate, 🟦 Blue is tricky, and 🟪 Purple is the hardest (often involving wordplay or abstract connections).
Yes! NYT Connections is free to play daily on The New York Times website and app. No subscription is required. You can also play unlimited sports-themed puzzles for free at ConnectionsSports.com.
As of July 21, 2026, there have been 1,136 NYT Connections puzzles since the game launched on June 12, 2023.
🏆 That's Today's NYT Connections Solved — Puzzle #1136
Come back tomorrow for Puzzle #1137 — we'll have fresh hints and answers waiting for you right here!
Questions or feedback? Contact Ranjit Kumar — puzzle architect and creator of ConnectionsSports.com.
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